A modesty campaign called Reflect Your Respect is calling on expats and
tourists to dress in accordance with local customs – with posters
illustrating what not to wear

A grassroots campaign called Reflect Your Respect has been launched online in Qatar to offer advice to foreigners travelling to the country in the run up to the 2022 football World Cup.

Posters with stick figures posted on Instagram and Twitter show the sort of outfits considered unsuitable for public places in the Islamic country as part of the publicity drive launched by the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center. One depicts a woman in a sundress with bare legs, another shows a woman in shorts and a singlet, and a third shows a woman in leggings with a bare midriff. The fourth depicts a man in shorts and a vest.

The advert, also being handed out in leaflet form at airports, reads: “If you are in Qatar, you are one of us. Help us preserve Qatar’s culture and values, please dress modestly in public places.”

It warns that “modesty” means being covered from shoulders to knees, and that “leggings are not pants”.

“Both men and women should also avoid walking around in their swimming suits away from beaches or swimming pools,” according to the campaign.

It adds that visitors “should know that courtesy and hospitality are of the virtues that are highly appreciated and respected in the Arab world. They will surely feel how friendly and gentle the Qatari people are."

“Women should avoid wearing any garments that are too tight, too short or translucent such as mini-skirts or sleeveless dresses,” according to another poster on the campaign’s Twitter account @reflect_respect.

Nasser al-Maliki, the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center's spokesman, told the UAE-based Gulf News: “The amount of immodest clothing is growing in public places, especially shopping malls. Such foreigner behaviour conflicts with our traditions. We do not want our kids to be exposed to it or learn from it, and that’s why we will start this campaign."

The campaign has caused a mixed response on social media. Some commenters on Twitter said they "fully support" the modesty drive, with remarks such as "when in Rome do as Romans do" and "this is an excellent project which everyone should support".

Some people suggested that the campaign could be misused in Western countries to discriminate against Muslims and justify a ban on traditional niqabs and hijabs.

Although it has already caused controversy, the modesty drive will not be officially launched until June 20, when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, according to Doha News. Women and children will pass out leaflets in the busiest parts of the city.

Doha News quoted campaign spokesman Umm Abdullah, who said the group plans to hand out chocolates, flowers and shawls along with the leaflets, and hopes to engage with people in a friendly way.

It will also warn visitors and expats about bad language, obscene gestures and public displays of affection during the World Cup, which are all considered offensive to locals.

According to the latest census, there are more than 208,000 expats in Qatar, making up almost 85 per cent of the population.